I am asked this question almost as much as I am asked about a Buddhist view or belief regarding death and life. This writing will certainly not put the issue to rest, I am not even sure it is possible for anyone to completely answer it. I would like to, however, offer some points I feel are important regarding the practice and application of Buddhism to our lives. If we look at a set of…
Today we held the Tokudo Service for Shami Jisho. This is the initial taking of vows by a novice as they begin the training to become a priest. The following is the text of my Dharma Talk given at the beginning of the Tokudo Service. ——–Begin Dharma Talk Text————- Good afternoon, thank you all for coming to the temple today. Thank you to the visiting Nichiren Shu priests, Ryuoh Shonin from Boston and Myokei Shonin…
The following article is the text from a brochure that is made available to folks visiting the temple. Introduction Chapter Seven of the Lotus Sutra, titled “Parable of a Magic City,” lists ten things the Buddha has perfect knowledge of. These ten things are called the Ten Powers of the Buddha (Juriki, Jpn.). The Ten Powers are the following: 1. Distinguishing right and wrong; 2. Knowing the karmas of all sentient beings of the past,…
Part IIb – Periods in the Spread of Buddhism – Locations (India & China) This next section of this writing by Nichiren goes through the three periods of True, Semblance, and Later Age of Degeneration and the type of Buddhism practiced in India, China, and Japan during the matching phases of propagation. Before Nichiren goes into those details he makes a very important point at the beginning. This point is, I think, most important for…
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